Paul Scholes’ damning verdict as Erik ten Hag’s side SCRAPE past Cypriot minnows Omonia Nicosia

Antony is a ‘one-trick pony’, Sancho NEVER runs in behind and United’s ‘shaky’ defence aren’t good enough one-on-one… Scholes’ damning verdict as Ten Hag’s side SCRAPE past Omonia Nicosia

  • Paul Scholes has criticised Man United wingers Jadon Sancho and Antony
  • He labelled summer signing from Ajax Antony as a ‘one-trick pony’
  • The former Man United star wants to see Sancho run behind more in games
  • Scholes also slams the Man United defence as being too ‘shaky’ in matches 

Paul Scholes has labelled Antony a ‘one-trick pony’, while also taking aim at Jadon Sancho and Erik ten Hag’s defence following Manchester United’s unconvincing performance against Omonia in the Europa League.

The £80million forward and his team-mates were not at their best for the Red Devils during their Europa League 3-2 win against the Cypriot side – a victory which saw them move clear in second spot in Group E.

After the game, manager Ten Hag said that he thought his side was too static during a first-half which intially saw them fall behind to Neil Lennon’s unfancied side.

Paul Scholes has hammered aspects of Manchester United’s performance against Omonia

Scholes singled out Jadon Sancho (pictured) for not running in behind enough in the match

Scholes singled out Jadon Sancho (pictured) for not running in behind enough in the match

The former Manchester United legend agreed with the Dutchman’s assessment, while also suggesting that Antony is a bit limited at the moment, as he told BT Sport: ‘He was right about the wingers being static.

‘Sancho never really runs in behind. He needs a fast left-back really or a centre forward to link up with and he hasn’t really got that at the moment.

‘Antony on the other side as well, he doesn’t run in behind. He seems to be a bit of a one-trick pony.

‘He’s always cutting inside and either passing back to the full-back or having a shot. You’re thinking he needs to develop a little bit. It’s still early days for him, we know that.’

Antony did go close to scoring against Omonia but was not able to influence the game

Antony did go close to scoring against Omonia but was not able to influence the game

Scholes also suggested that United's defence 'looked so easy to break through' in Cyprus

Scholes also suggested that United’s defence ‘looked so easy to break through’ in Cyprus

Scholes was also critical of the team’s defensive performance against Omonia, as he believes that the team were too easy to play through.

He added: ‘It was so easy, United just looked so easy to break through. I don’t think the back four are good enough one-on-one.

‘United were a little bit lucky, despite creating chances at the other end.’

Cristiano Ronaldo had a few chances to score against Omonia but failed to hit the net

Cristiano Ronaldo had a few chances to score against Omonia but failed to hit the net

On Cristiano Ronaldo, Scholes admitted that the Portuguese star should have scored on the night after he missed a few chances, including one sitter.

‘Ronaldo will be a bit frustrated because he should have scored but you worry about them defensively still. They looked shaky so there’s work to do there.’

Owen Hargreaves added: ‘Defensively, clearly United still have work to do but they created lots of chances and [Cristiano] Ronaldo should have had a couple really.’

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